Latch



May 12, 1925. 1,537,438

R. 'l. GRAF' LATCH Filed Aug 7, 1922 I (ml 12mm EEG TI. ZQWMZfiJa IZ BY I 1 JTToRNEYs Patented May 12, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFl-QE.

RAYMOND IVAN GRAF, -O13 GRAND (RAPIDS, MICHIGAN,'ASSIGNOR TO KEELER 'BR-ASS COMPANY,iOF' GRAND R-A'IPIDS, MICHIGAN.

V LATCH.

Applicationfiled August 7,1922. Serial No. 580,284.

To all whom, it mag concern.

Be it known that I, RAmroND IVA-N GRAF,

citizen of the United States, residing at Grand :Rapids, county of Kent, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to, improvements in latches.

The main objects of the invention are:

is very strong and durable in structure and welladapted for use as arefrigerator latch or as a latch for comparatively heavy doors which are commonly slammed shut.

Second, to provide an.improvedlatchin which the number of parts is minimized.

Third, to provide an improved latch in which no pivots are required and at the same time the latch bolt swings freely.

Fourth, to provide an improved latch which may be readily reversed for right or lefthand opening doors.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention 1s clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a front view of my improved latch in which the parts are formed as castings.

Fig. II is an inverted view with the handle partially broken away.

Fig. II is a section on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. II.

Fig. III is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a front view of an embodiment of my invention in which sheet metal stampings are employed instead of castings.

Fig. V is an inverted View, the latch bolt being partially broken away.

Fig. VI is a section on a line corresponding toline 66 of Figs. IV and V.

Fig. VII is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. VI.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the dil'ection of'the little which, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. I-III inclusive, is formedase east- ,ing,is providedwith-anopening 2 in its rear wallfconstituting a "fulcrum for the leverlike latch bolt 8, The front end wall is provided-with avertical slot 4 in which the bolt swings-or oscillates. First, to provide an improved latch which 7 The-bolt has a recess5 in its rear side. en-

gaged bywthe tongue 6 on the-housing, the :tonguebeing formed integral with the housing and supporting the bolt against longitudinal movement in the pivot opening-while permitting its oscillation. 'Ihe bolt is provided-with springseats 7 in its edges adapted toreceivetheend ofthe-spring 8. The housing has spring seats 9 opposed to the spring seats 7 The seats 7 are in the form of recesses so that they support the spring laterally with its outer end resting against the fiat seats 9 of the housing.

With this arrangement of parts the bolt is properly supported for pivotal movement without the aid of pivots, thus avoiding the forming of pivot openings inthe latch bolt and also avoiding the expense of the pivot and its insertion or setting.

The latch is adapted for use either as a right or lefthand latch, it only being necessary to shift the position of the spring. The strike or keeper 10 is suitably conformed to coact with the bolt. The keeper, however, forms no part of my invention.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. IV, V and VI, the latch housing 11 is formed as a sheet metal stamping and is provided with an opening 12 in its rear end wall in which the bolt- 13 pivots. The bolt has a notch 14 engaged by a tongue 15 formed in the end wall, the tongue supporting the bolt against longitudinal movement while permitting its oscillating or pivotal movement, substantially the same as the tongue 6. The housing has spring seats 16 struck up from the wall thereof in opposed relation to the spring seats 17 formed in the edge of the bolt. These seats 17 are formed by notching the edge of the bolt.

I/Vith this simple arrangement the spring 8 is effectively supported and its position may be reversed to adapt the latch as a right or left hand structure.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. IV, V

and VI, the latch bolt is also a sheet metal stamping as is likewise the strike orkeeper 18.

I have illustrated and described two very practical embodiments of my invention showing an adaptation thereof to castings and also sheet metal. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe" other adaptations which I contemplate as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. A latch comprising an integrally formed housing having a bolt fulcruming opening in its inner end wall and a slot in its outer wall, a lever-like bolt fulcrumed in said opening in the inner end wall of said housing to swing in said slot in its outer end wall, said bolt having a notch in its rear side adjacent its fulcrum point and a recess in its edge constituting a spring seat, said housing having an integral tongueengaging said notch in said bolt to support the bolt against longitudinal movement, and a spring seating surface opposed to said spring seat of said bolt, and a spring disposed in said seats in said bolt to coact with the seat of said housing.

2. A latch comprising a housing having a bolt fulcruming opening in its inner end wall, and a bolt fulcrumed in said opening and having a notch adjacent its fulcrum point, said housing having a tongue engaging said notch in said bolt supporting it against longitudinal movement.

8. A latch comprising a housing having a bolt fulcruming opening in one of its walls, a bolt fulcrumed in said opening, and means within said housing with which said bolt is slidably engaged permitting the pivot-a1 movement of the bolt but supporting it against longitudinal movement.

ll. A latch comprising a housing having a bolt fulcruming opening in its inner end wall, and a bolt fulcrumed in said opening and having a recess therein, said housing having an integral tongue engaging said recess supporting said bolt against longitudinal movement.

In witness whereof, I have my hand and seal.

RAYMOND IVAN GRAF. [L. s]

hereunto set 

